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May 2020
8:47am, 14 May 2020
11,045 posts
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larkim
As I'm on a dumb trainer, I only get the drafting / downhill benefits in terms of calculated power output. What sort of benefit in W will I (virtually) be getting when drafting 1 rider, and does that increase if you're in a big group? I did find myself rather pointlessly "freewheeling" down a "hill" last night just to get a short breather (I should have probably just ridden slower!) but found it difficult to judge whether I was getting much of a drafting benefit when I rode close to others.
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May 2020
9:10am, 14 May 2020
69,530 posts
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Gobi
30% allegedly
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May 2020
9:19am, 14 May 2020
11,046 posts
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larkim
Wow, that'd be enormous. It certainly didn't feel that I could reduce the onscreen W by 30% when i was theoretically drafting on the flat, though i suppose you don't know what the other rider is doing. Will have to experiment with trying to jump into a big group and see what happens.
OTOH, given that I can only really ride at about 2.3W/kg apparently (about 160W consistently over an hour yesterday) I doubt I'll find too many big groups going slow enough!!
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May 2020
9:37am, 14 May 2020
69,535 posts
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Gobi
you have no power Larks ?
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May 2020
9:42am, 14 May 2020
4,595 posts
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Windsor Wool
Lark - the feeling of getting in to a large group is unmissable and also fantastic if you've made an effort to get to the group. Most of the rides I do are sociable group rides where the group is large. Get distracted, like I often do, and get left behind by the group and it can be hard work to get back on unless you're willing to call for the aid of a sweep.
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May 2020
9:44am, 14 May 2020
11,047 posts
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larkim
No, sadly I don't! Never quite understood how I can run "ok" for someone my age, but not output much power as a cyclist.
I need to do a ftp test while I've still got the free trial to put a better number on it, and if my mentality when running translates to cycling I should be able to push myself sufficiently. My quads etc just fill with lactic if I push much harder. Cadence is good, 80-90 typically, bike position has never been properly evaluated over and above being "comfortable", but I suspect I'm just not blessed with cycling "talent".
Clearly training would help, of course. But whilst I tend to devote my time and energy to running, I'd be loathe to spend too much time dedicating myself to becoming a better cyclist if I couldn't see me adopting riding (or mutli-sport) as being my main focus.
Or maybe I'm just a wimp!!
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May 2020
9:47am, 14 May 2020
69,539 posts
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Gobi
WW - funny but at 350 watts 320 in a group doesn't feel much better :¬)
Larks - like all things it is time and you are not focused, best thing to do is use the bike for easier stuff to give the body a break from impact and stick to efforts and focus where you want them.
I'm a cyclist first so my running is as perscribed above and my cycling is where the effort is.
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May 2020
9:57am, 14 May 2020
4,596 posts
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Windsor Wool
lark - the experience you share is just like mine. The nice thing about Zwift is that there are always plenty of folks to ride with across the different categories. Earlier in the year when I was run injured I put about 6 weeks of daily training in to Zwift and I really saw my performances improve. Fitness is fitness but there's still some specificity to it.
Careful though, you don't want to get your quads to a size that they don't fit in your race day shorts!
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May 2020
10:23am, 14 May 2020
69,542 posts
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Gobi
WW - I still look like a stick boy runner after years on the bike
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May 2020
10:52am, 14 May 2020
11,049 posts
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larkim
I might stump up for a month of zwift to see if I can follow some structure and evidence some improvement. Would be at the very least interesting to experiment with and give me a sense of my level of adapatability. My first long event was actually a duathlon, and I could hang with the decent runners on both legs, but I couldn't believe how quick the riders were, and not all of it was down to equipment (though my bike is not high end by any degree!)
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MyWhooshers
Feb 2025